Leave it all behind!

Genesis 19:26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife!

The modern Hebrew word for repent is ‘shoov, spelled "sheen"-"beit" ("vet", the secondary form of "beit") In ancient Hebrew script the letter "sheen" is represented by teeth and means "to destroy". The "beit" in Hebrew represents a tent or a house. So a literal reading of "sheen"-"beit" would be "to destroy the house"!

The word picture of the original Hebrew portrays the meaning of the word, which is, "to be taken captive". In the ancient world, conquerors wanted their captives to become part of their kingdoms, and this could only happen if they destroyed homes. So in horror, those who were taken captive would witness their houses being completely destroyed by the conquering kings, so they could never return. From this understanding of being taken captive we grasp the true meaning of "returning" and "repentance": you have left no house behind!

Real repentance means "no turning back" (as the song says). It means that the house you lived in before has been destroyed and you have "died" to living there. Don't look back, in futility, at what has ended forever. Live in the choice you have made to love and serve the resurrected King, Yeshua (Jesus). Remember Lot's wife. She escaped Sodom, but became a statue of salt, an eternal monument to half-hearted repentance. Don't let your only testimony be a longing for a house you can never return to.

Enjoy Your Shabbat! The Hebrew word "Shabbat", what we call "the Sabbath" in English, means: "to rest". The ancient Hebrew word picture unfolds its meaning profoundly and even "prophetically". Shabbat is spelled "sheen"-"beit"-"tav"....

Do you know the Father's Love? As we continue our studies in Ancient Hebrew word pictures, let's look at the symbols representing the word "Father". The letters which compose this word are "aleph" and "beit". The "aleph" was originally illustrated as an ox head, which denotes strength, power and a leader. "Beit" is the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and its ancient symbol represents a tent and illustrates a home, dwelling, and family. So the ancient word for "Father", "Av" literally describes the leader of the house, or the leader of the family....

How do we achieve peace? As we enter into day 16 of Operation Protective Shield, we read how a "ceasefire" is proposed by different countries in order to settle the conflict. However, it's not a 'true' peace they want to achieve, but just a pause in the violence. A ceasefire in the eyes of Islam is called a 'hudna', which is understood as a time to regroup and rearm before rising to its ultimate victory. So how does one truly achieve peace?...

Be in Total Peace! The Hebrew word "shalom" has meaning that is deep and rich. Peace, completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing, and rest are all apportioned to the meaning of this remarkable word.. The ancient Hebrew spelling of "shalom" is interesting because it speaks only indirectly about these multiple meanings, but reveals something very profound about apprehending "shalom"....

Season with Salt! For years, when I visited my father-in-law's home in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, we would break bread and bless the bread with the traditional blessing – "Baruch Ata Adonai Eleheynu Melech HaOlam Ha-Motzi Lechem Min Ha'aretz" – which translated means,"Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has given us bread from the earth". After the blessing, my father-in-law would take salt and sprinkle the challah bread as he broke and passed it to everyone at the table....